The Edmonton Oilers reduced their roster in a big way tonight, sending down 18 players. Several have to clear waivers—Tyler Pitlick, Brad Hunt, Ryan Hamilton, Andrew Miller—but the team has cut very few men from the “uncertain” group at this point in time. The tough decisions are still to come.

THE CERTAIN OILERS

I added Griffin Reinhart on Sept 24, we’ll see if that holds as we get closer to cut down day. None of the men listed here—there are 20 names—were sent down tonight.

UNCERTAIN OILERS

This is the battleground area and tonight only confirms what we knew. Leon Draisaitl’s presence in this TC is pushing many role players down the depth chart and it could mean a trade in the next few days. We should also note the fact Anton Slepyshev also survived this round of cuts and that really impacts a large group of wingers. Interesting day. We’re now down to 10 defensemen and I do think Nurse and Davidson get sent down next but this isn’t a clear decision at this point. NO idea how the goalie competition shakes down.

DISTANT BELLS

It’s over for the distant bells, no one made it through the first week of TC. Moroz, Simpson and Gernat are medical issues and the group that could have pushed on (Musil, Oesterle, Chase, etc) didn’t show enough this fall. That will come in the future or not at all, but for this season we didn’t really see a surprise from the depths.

More tomorrow.

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Hey Everyone. Sounds like the feed was bad from Sasktel Centre. I was at the game. I just want to thank everyone in Edmonton for lending us the Oilers for a night. It was thoroughly enthralling. And thank you to the Oilers for bringing a top shelf “A” roster. Minnesota… wow… recognized the goalie and that…um… was about it. Had perfect sightline behind Kelfbom for his goal. McDavid, Nurse and others signed a friends’ kids’ hat and program. Very nice night.

1) you have to make a decision
2) you have to give Talbot a good chunk
Of the remaining game time

I’m certain they were hoping it would be clear by now. Unfortunately you’ve made it really clear that it’s a competition, and Nilsson has been literally perfect. It’s not his fault that the opposition has been sub par.

Not sure how this shows .mgmt was over their heads last year. Chia added some top notch upper end of the roster players, but let’s not forget wjo procured some of the others. A rookie GM is a tough job but the difference here is a desire to push forward and improve.

I think the goaltending position’s Nilsson’s to lose at this point as he’s Chia’s guy and has been flawless in two appearances. The interesting thing will be what the Oilers will do with their 2 remaining pre-season games. It would be dumb not to give Talbot a full game (probably Vancouver) when they need him to be ready to go for the season, so do Nilsson and Scrivens split Arizona?

Not sure how this shows .mgmt was over their heads last year. Chia added some top notch upper end of the roster players, but let’s not forget wjo procured some of the others. A rookie GM is a tough job but the difference here is a desire to push forward and improve.

Training camp was a debacle last year. It was a total mess and that is on management and coaching. Roster depth aside, the personnel decisions and organization of the camp were mickey mouse.

Is Slepyshev already one of the best wingers on the team as far as moving to open space? My biggest complaint about Yakupov is that he doesn’t yet have that Brett Hull sense of where to go to unleash the one-timer. Sleppy apparently does have that sense.

That McDavid-Drai-Sleppy goal was actually pretty amazing and I’m so glad we’re seeing some goals come in the “half court ” offence, rather than Phoenix Suns in transition, to borrow a NBA reference. If the Oilers can develop a cycle game it’s going to be so, so huge.

Not complicated at all for Purcell – he stays hurt and off the roster to start the year. Another forward will get banged up eventually and he slots in. You can also waiver him to see if someone bites or trade him at the deadline for anything. He’s not horrible and the contract manageable since he’s UFA next summer. Slepy needs 40 games in the AHL for seasoning – no harm in that.

Pou RNH Ebs
Hall McD Drai
Korpse Lander Yak
Hendricks Letestu Klink

Spare – Gadzooks
IR – Purcell

Defense is a bit trickier – but like Slepy – Nurse needs 40 games in the AHL to season. I also kind of like Nikitin with GR on the 3rd paid – rookie/vet with some offense/defense balance – think that pair could work.

I really do not want to send down Davidson as I think we lose him since his contract is so cap friendly. Damn shame to develop a guy and then lose him right before you need him – and a contract like his will be really important after this year – he’s the new Charlie Huddy. If Gadzooks is the only spare forward (no issue as we have extra centers on the wing now) then we can carry 8 dmen. We still have 9 guys though and a trade would be very welcome. Would be delightful if we could find Ference a new home even if we had to eat half his salary (hello BOS) but Nikitin or even Gryba could go. Would it be so bad if we trade Gryba for more than we paid for him? I would not mind that one bit after seeing him.

Sekera Fayne
Klef Schultz
Reinhart Nikitin

Spares – Gryba-Davidson-Ference

As for goal – Scrivens has one last shot to outpay the Swede. If he doesn’t then you offer him up for trade or put him on waivers for the purposes of sending him to the AHL. I’m cool with any outcome but let the best guy win the day.

AsiaOil:
Not complicated at all for Purcell – he stays hurt and off the roster to start the year. Another forward will get banged up eventually and he slots in. You can also waiver him to see if someone bites or trade him at the deadline for anything. He’s not horrible and the contract manageable since he’s UFA next summer. Slepy needs 40 games in the AHL for seasoning – no harm in that.

Well, if Purcell does start on the IR, and the Oil keep 2G/7D, then Slepyshev has made the team.

Some AHL time certainly wouldn’t hurt him, but he really does look like he can play now.

“I will be thrilled if Draisaitl and Slepyshev make the NHL club. I really like the skill and size they bring to the line up.”

Draisaitl, sure why not.
Slepy, no way. Let him marinade in the AHL for a bit, perhaps even the entire year.

We have enough rookies (McDavid), pseudo-rookies (Draisaitl, Reinhart), and reclamation projects (Schultz, Yakupov, Scrivens/Nilsson) as it is. I’m sure the coaching staff want to dedicate a lot of their time to these guys to help them get on track (or get back on track). The last thing they need is more rookies… it’s one of the big reasons why Nurse will be sent down.

I’m of the mind that if a guy clearly wins his spot on the team from legitimate NHLers (Drai, Slepy, Reinhart, Nurse etc) than that’s what you want. You don’t gift them spots. If they earn it and there are other qualified candidates they beat out than they earned it. If you deny people a spot that they just flat out earned in order to let them “season in the AHL” it de-incentivises people.

If there are some things they can work on and you can give them a legitimate reason like “go work on your decision making in these situations” than fair enough. But if the only reason you send them down is just to give them time in the AHL what’s the point? If a guy is ready for the NHL that’s all that matters.

Give people what they deserve and are ready for. Nothing more, nothing less.

PC:
Finalized existing Talbot trade.
Marincin for Gryba
Gordon for Korpikoski
Pit #16 & 2nd rounder for Reinhart
Coughlin for Nilsson
Signed Sekera
Signed Letestu
Did not get Hamilton because of who he was!

Looking at this i would give up PC and the Marincin; Gordon Reinhart trades
for MacT getting hamilton with the #16; 33; and a prospect.
We still get Talbot.
Tmac still looks at the assets and signs.

mujidog: Slepy, no way. Let him marinade in the AHL for a bit, perhaps even the entire year.

So you want him to go to the AHL to learn the NA game
-when AHL is a lower standard than KHL
– he maybe our best positionally sound winger in the top 9. pouliot?
– He understand s finding space on the small surface.
– Has the best targeted release on the team.
– PC likes his size.
-He can cover a 3rd/4th line even game.
-PC believes he can think the game at Mcdavid’s and draisatl’s level.

Ricki, You have made a pretty significant leap that MacT had the chops to get Hamilton. 27 other GMs missed out there. But IF MacT went off script and was able to pull of the deal, no way he has cap space for Sekera too. Simply saying choose between Hamilton and PC seems slanted.

Snowman: I’m of the mind that if a guy clearly wins his spot on the team from legitimate NHLers (Drai, Slepy, Reinhart, Nurse etc) than that’s what you want. You don’t gift them spots. If they earn it and there are other qualified candidates they beat out than they earned it. If you deny people a spot that they just flat out earned in order to let them “season in the AHL” it de-incentivises people.

I completely agree. If Sleps is better than Purcell, then ship Teddy out. A year in the A is not going to improve Sleps’ game faster than a year in the show as an extra forward. He has already been playing against men and has the size/speed to do so. For young forwards, that’s the benefit of playing in the AHL. They get the time needed to personally grow/mature and get acclimatised to playing against bigger/stronger players. Many of them of are already capable of thinking the game at an NHL speed, but just don’t have the physical attributes to do so.

rickithebear: So you want him to go to the AHL to learn the NA game
-when AHL is a lower standard than KHL
– he maybe our best positionally sound winger in the top 9. pouliot?
– He understand s finding space on the small surface.
– Has the best targeted release on the team.
– PC likes his size.
-He can cover a 3rd/4th line even game.
-PC believes he can think the game at Mcdavid’s and draisatl’s level.

we see the real competition now!

How much of what was just said would have applied to Lander when he made the Oilers under Renney? He’d played in a very good Swedish league (arguably better than the A), he was excellent positionally, played a versatile game, high level of intelligence, etc.

Sometimes the best thing for these guys is not to rush them. If they’re too good to keep down, 20 games in the A won’t hurt. If they show well in camp but fade as the year progresses and.or get relegated to the fourth line, the results can hurt long-term.

Zelepukin: I completely agree. If Sleps is better than Purcell, then ship Teddy out. A year in the A is not going to improve Sleps’ game faster than a year in the show as an extra forward. He has already been playing against men and has the size/speed to do so. For young forwards, that’s the benefit of playing in the AHL. They get the time needed to personally grow/mature and get acclimatised to playing against bigger/stronger players. Many of them of are already capable of thinking the game at an NHL speed, but just don’t have the physical attributes to do so.

There’s a learning curve coming off the big ice to the small ice. Some of it’s the lack of space and the relative quickness, but there’s more to it than that. There’s less puck-rushing in North America, the passes tend to be short and frequent and there’s a lot more stop-and-go and a lot less circling into position.

There are fundamental differences between the games, and one of the key functions of the AHL is to help young Europeans adjust. Keep in mind too that Slepyshev is only 21; he’s the same age as Moroz and Khaira and he didn’t exactly blown the doors off in the KHL during his time there.

I do like how after years of people complaining about the Oilers icing too many rookies and rushing players, some of you are leaping at the chance to.. play another rookie and rush him?

Slep needs to go to the AHL, imo. He’s had a good pre-season, yes — but not out-standing. We’ve seen this before. Pre-season does not equate to regular season. Slep needs more time; give it to him. There’s zero reason to rush him to the NHL simply because he might, possibly, be NHL ready. Purcell, for all that stuff slung at him by some, is a proven NHLer. Yes, he’s slow, but he has shown he can play at the NHL level. Slep hasn’t.

Imo, the opening night roster, for forwards, should be something like this;

Unfortunately, Gazdic is almost a lock to make the team (Oilers always have to waste a spot on a face puncher), which means Gazdic is in Korps’ spot until Purcell is healthy, and then Korps may get waived/traded.

I would have Slep as one of the early call ups, though, if he does well at the AHL level. Until then, let him continue to adapt to the NA game and lifestyle with less pressure on him and so that we do not have a repeat of Lander having his development absolutely messed up because Oilers.

Drai Lander Yak didn’t show well (Chemistry wise) in my opinion, which to me was more about Lander and Yak then Drai. From what I’ve seen from last year that was the same problem when Yak got some playing time with Nuge. No Chemistry. But when Yak jumped up with McD and Drai after Hall went off, I was quite impressed. (Goal and assist for Yak) Kinda like how Yak was with Roy. For that reason alone not to mention the soft minutes possiblity I’d be running

How nice is it that we’re finally talking about young players earning spots instead of being gifted them…

I think Leon has won his spot but McLellan has to be careful not to degrade the defensive capability of the bottom six by putting too many young, primary offensive-focused players there.

And as Chia said, preseason is different from the first 10 games and the first 10 is different from the next.

There’s distinctive levels of increasing difficulty playing in this league, which is why I wouldn’t be surprised if we pick up an experienced two-way forward on waivers or is part of a Purcell or Nikitin trade,

That’s why he played first line minutes in the KHl? no he did not. he played sparingly. Let him play top minutes in the Ahl. Learn the systems, and all the other things that come with moving half a world away.

At the End of the year he did. I think he should start in the A unless he rips it up the last few pre-season games(or Purcell stays injured), he could be a nice boost of energy to the lineup some 10-20 games in if things go stale, but he’s a pretty ready player. Going from fourth to first line duty the way he did in the KHL is a pretty good school. We sometimes get a little too enamoured in young players playing massive minutes as the clearly best path but the guys coming out of Europe who have worked their way through the ranks learn a lot. Playing fourth Line forces you to be defensively responsible, to create your own offense, to make the most of your minutes and earn every second on the ice. As long as you don’t get caught in a numbers game with a coach who only trusts his vets it’s pretty excellent as far as Development goes. By the time you turn 20-21 you need to start getting the minutes but as long as they can go down and have a bigger role in juniors at times getting 8-10 mins a night against men can be very beneficial compared to 20 mins a night against juniors.

Jonathan Willis: There’s a learning curve coming off the big ice to the small ice. Some of it’s the lack of space and the relative quickness, but there’s more to it than that. There’s less puck-rushing in North America, the passes tend to be short and frequent and there’s a lot more stop-and-go and a lot less circling into position.

There are fundamental differences between the games, and one of the key functions of the AHL is to help young Europeans adjust. Keep in mind too that Slepyshev is only 21; he’s the same age as Moroz and Khaira and he didn’t exactly blown the doors off in the KHL during his time there.

Well colour me confused.

Are we all on the ‘Earn A Place In Camp’ bus, or ‘Let Him Develop On The Farm, Even Though He Out-Performed Certain Veterans’ bus?

He didn’t blow the doors of in the KHL, but he’s earning his spot, as per the verbal from the Oilers. If he’s ready, he’s ready.

No need to overthink this or out smart ourselves.

Look what happened last year: Vets angry at young’uns gifted a spot over more established players and young’uns resenting vets that didn’t feel they had to play anymore to be on the team and collect a pay-check.

Of everybody, I think TMac and Chia are probably best placed to make the call…

Are we all on the ‘Earn A Place In Camp’ bus, or ‘Let Him Develop On The Farm, Even Though He Out-Performed Certain Veterans’ bus?

He didn’t blow the doors of in the KHL, but he’s earning his spot, as per the verbal from the Oilers.If he’s ready, he’s ready.

No need to overthink this or out smart ourselves.

Look what happened last year:Vets angry at young’uns gifted a spot over more established players and young’uns resenting vets that didn’t feel they had to play anymore to be on the team and collect a pay-check.

Of everybody, I think TMac and Chia are probably best placed to make the call…

I’m on team Bayesian Training Camp and I always have been. Training camp matters, but when you throw out the miles and miles of road that led to it you make stupid decisions.